As we approach the MLB postseason and the final days of the regular season, there are many intriguing storylines to follow. The Rays clinched the top seed in the American League last night, but the Astros are still fighting for their division crown. Today’s matchup will be an interesting one to watch unfold. Why not enhance the entertainment with a little betting action? Specifically, a same game parlay.
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Let’s get to it.
Astros -1.5 (+118)
Over 8.5 (-118)
Wander Franco to record 2+ hits (+210)
Parlay odds: +1277
Astros -1.5 (+118)
Tampa Bay’s win on Wednesday locked up the best record in the American League, so there is nothing left for the Rays to play for. Their sense of urgency might not be as high in this one. On the other side, Houston has not quite clinched the American League West. The Mariners keep winning to keep it close, and the Astros find themselves with a 3.5-game lead in the division.
Lance McCullers Jr. is having a very good season for Houston this year and he will be looking to close it on a high note. He leads the team in wins and strikeouts and is a great candidate to be on the mound in Houston’s first playoff game. McCullers is 5-3 with a 3.54 ERA at Minute Maid Park this season. In addition, he is holding opponents to a .212 batting average at home. It is natural for Tampa Bay to let up a bit in this spot while Houston still needs another win to lock things up in the American League West.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Tampa Bay Rays vs Houston Astros
Over 8.5 (-118)
The over is hitting at a 55% clip at Minute Maid Park this season. In addition, it is hitting at a 61% clip for the Rays on the road. The under has cashed in each of the first 2 games in this series, but that could change in the series finale. These have been the 2 most productive offenses in the league this season. Don’t expect a shutout from either side as we saw last night. The last time Houston was shut out at home they came back to score 8 runs the next day. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Astros can rebound from a poor hitting day yesterday with something in the range of 6-8 runs. In that case, we won’t need much from the Rays, but they are more than capable of producing. They’ve scored the most runs in all of baseball this season. This could be a high-scoring affair.
Wander Franco to record 2+ hits (+210)
Wander Franco is playing with a ton of confidence right now. He is hitting a strong .370 with an OPS above 1.000 in September, and he has collected 6 multi-hit games in the month. The Tampa Bay rookie put together a 3-hit effort in last night’s game, so he appears to be seeing the ball well at Minute Maid Park. That follows a similar theme, as he has posted better numbers on the road this season than at home. His batting average jumps from .269 at home to .311 away from Tropicana Field. In addition, his OPS goes from .793 to .867. With the way he is swinging the bat right now, you’ve gotta ride the hot hand.
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